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Baby Brianna's death still resonates after 10 years

By Steve Ramirez/sramirez@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
07/18/2012 07:04:40 PM MDT

Click photo to enlarge

Pictured is the grave site of Brianna Lopez on Wednesday at Doña Ana Cemetery. Today is the 10th anniversary of Baby Brianna s death, who at 5-months-old died a violent death at the hands of her parents.

As if it were yesterday, and not July 19, 2002 — there is still a slight wince, often a short pause among many Las Crucens and southern New Mexico residents as they remember the circumstances that led to the death of Baby Brianna. She who was only a shade older than 5 months when she was pronounced dead in the Memorial Medical Center emergency room at 11:10 a.m.

"Sure, the world keeps going, life goes on, but you can almost sense a little void since that moment," said Trish Gutierrez, a Las Cruces homemaker who was about eight months pregnant with her son that day. "It's just sad, really sad, that she had to die that way. It's probably affected a lot of us in ways we may never really recognize."

Gutierrez admitted it wasn't a conscious thought, and it wasn't until months after her son's birth that she realized how Baby Brianna indirectly impacted her life. The middle name of her son is Brian.

Violent death

Autopsy results showed Brianna Mariah Lopez, 5-months, 5-days old, died from cranial cerebral injuries. She had bruising and scraping injuries throughout her head, as well as on her upper forehead.

Brianna had 13 human bite marks all over her body and head. There were extensive injuries to her head and fatal injuries to her brain.

She had bleeding in the brain as well as around the nerves of her eyes.

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Her skull was fractured in two places, there were two rib fractures, two more on the thigh bones of each of her legs, and a fracture to her left arm. She had been raped.

Brianna was a victim of child abuse, considered by many people as perhaps the worst case in New Mexico history. Her parents, Stephanie Lopez and Andy Walters, and an uncle, Steven Lopez were convicted and are in prison.

Brianna is buried in a cemetery in the unincorporated village of Doña Ana, and her grave is covered by a cage that has raised additional public outcry.

"This little girl obviously deserved better than all of this," said Ray Carter of Radium Springs.

In memory today

District Attorney Amy Orlando has asked that Baby Brianna be commemorated today as an appropriate reminder of the impact she made on so many lives. The nature of her abuse and tragic death ultimately led to a change in New Mexico child abuse laws.

"Our community has been changed by the circumstances surrounding Brianna's passing," Orlando said. "She, as well as all victims of child abuse, have indelibly left a mark in our hearts. It is in their honor that we continue to pursue a safer community so that all children can experience a future without violence."

State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia lives in Doña Ana, just a few blocks from where Brianna is buried. Garcia introduced legislation, "Life Sentences for Deadly Child Abuse," in 2005. The bill quickly received widespread support and former Gov. Bill Richardson signed the bill into law.

The law now makes child abuse resulting in death a first-degree felony in New Mexico, and carries a mandatory 30-year prison sentence.

"I helped create that law for every child," Garcia said. "I'm very, very proud of it. Yes, it's one of my proudest moments as a legislator.

"But, personally, it still hurts to see those (autopsy) photos of her. I've spoken to some of her other family members, who had no involvement whatsoever, and my heart goes out to them."

More legislation

Garcia added she will continue to push for an amendment to the law that could increase the penalty for child abuse resulting in death to a sentence of life in prison without parole. She tried to get the amendment passed during this year's legislative session, but it was vetoed.

"I will continue to fight for children, women, any abuse I see," Garcia said. "I will introduce this again. I'm going to do it."

In Brianna's memory, donations of items needed for the Child Crisis Center of Southwest New Mexico are being collected through Aug. 3. Paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, facial tissue, diapers and pull ups of all sizes are needed.

A donation box has been placed at the District Attorney's Office, on the second floor of the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N. Motel Blvd.

"Every gift is needed and much appreciated," said Orlando, in a post on her Facebook page. "We do this to honor the memory of a defenseless, innocent child and the impact her death has had on our community. ... It is a long road and we need the help from everyone in our community to help stop child abuse."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452. Also follow him on Twitter: @SteveRamirez6.

Remembering Brianna

— To mark today's 10th anniversary of the death of Baby Brianna, items are being collected through Aug. 3 and will be donated to the Child Crisis Center of Southwest New Mexico.